Aud Sentiments 3rd Birthday Blog Hop!

Hey everyone and welcome to this special edition Birthday Blog Hop for Aud Sentiments!

The team is celebrating the Aud Sentiments Challenge Blog's 3rd Birthday and we're doing it in style with an awesome Blog Hop!

We have three sponsors for our Blog Hop which means there are three fabulous prizes up for grabs to our participants. You will have the opportunity to win prizes from:

Robyn's Fetish

Robyn's Fetish who offer a fabulous range of digital stamps - an incredible mixture of styles and designs. 

Stamp and Create

Stamp and Create who are an online store based in the US with worldwide shipping. They specialize in Rubber Stamps including Magnolia, Whimsy Stamps, Wild Rose Studios, and many, many more at the lowest prices around!

and 

My Heart Pieces

My Heart Pieces who create such gorgeous images, some of which are really unusual and just can't be found elsewhere!

We've gone all out on this one! All you need to do to win is leave a comment on all our blogs and enter in our challenge as normal creating a card or project with a Birthday Sentiment via our normal blog page - and you could be in with a chance of winning! :)

If you have arrived here from Laura's Blog, then you are on the right track - if you haven't arrived here from her blog - please go to the Aud Sentiments Challenge Blog and you can start from the beginning.

Here's my creation below for our special Birthday Blog Hop:

 

Supplies used:
- Kraft Cardstock (Papermania)
- Yes Please / Amy Tangerine Collection Paper Pad 12 x 12 from American Crafts
- X-Cut Corner Rounder
- Flair Adhesive Badges / Miss You Collection from American Crafts
- Pink & White Twine from American Crafts
- Promarkers (Sunflower, Cocoa, Forest Green)
- Fiskars Lace Doily Border Punch
- Momento Ink Tuxedo Black
- Paper Smooches Simply Said Stamp Set

I created this card using kraft cardstock, folded into a standard size card, and layered various papers from the Yes Please Amy Tangerine Collection Paper pad from American Crafts. I coloured in one of the images from one of our sponsors in Promarkers (Sunflower, Cocoa, and Forest Green) - the image was trimmed, and two of the corners rounded with a X-Cut corner rounder. This was adhered on with 3D foam dots. I also used a Fiskars doily lace border punch to decorate some of the strips of layered paper on the card. The sentiment I used was from the Paper Smooches Simply Said collection in Momento Tuxedo Black ink on more paper from the same paper pad. I finished this sentiment off by tying some American Crafts bakers twine on the end and adding a flair button from the American Crafts Miss You Flair / Badges set. Phew! Really liked the way the card turned out - I think it's pretty sweet!

The next stop is Ruthie's Blog!

Here's the full list of Hop-pers (just in case!)

Ginny

Helen

Julie

Kym

Laura

Mel (that's me!)

Ruthie

Sandra

Valou

Enjoy the Birthday Hop journey via the Aud Sentiments DT and don't forget to leave comments along the way! The more chance you have of winning some of our awesome prizes!

Happy Birthday 3rd Aud Sentiments! :)

- x -

You're My Cup of Tea! - Pinspirational Challenges

Hello Everyone! Today is the last blog post I will be doing as part of the Pinspirational Challenges Design Team :( *sobs* But the future challenges on the Challenge Blog are in the most awesome capable hands of Deanne and the rest of the Design Team, so I wish them all the best for the future! :) Thank you Deanne for being a great Team Leader and giving me the opportunity to be on the team in the first place! You're an inspiration!

As this is my last challenge on the Pins Team, I've made 3 mini cards for this project. Here's the Pinspirational image below for you:

 

The two sponsors for this week's challenge are:

Team 1 are sponsored by

FRESH BREWED DESIGNS

 

PRIZE: 3 digis

 

and

 

Team 2 are sponsored by

FRED SHE SAID

 

PRIZE $15 Gift Certificate

 

- x -

 

Here is my creation:

 

 

 Craft Supplies used:

- Crafts-Too You Small Hearts Embossing Folder

- Sizzix Small Dots Embossing Folder

- Forever Friends Black and Gold Petal Pattern Embossing Folder

- Yellow, Green and Pink Twine from American Crafts

- Lawn Fawn - My Cup of Tea Stamp Set

- Crate Paper - Paper Heart Collection

- Papermania 3 x 3 White Blank Cards

- Momento Black Tuxedo Ink

- X-Cut Corner rounder punch

- 3D foam dots

I had a bit of a mishap with the printer, so instead I had to use this stamp set for this card set. From the Pins image I've taken the cup of black tea (it could be coffee as well!) 

I embossed each card with a random embossing folder (from the three above) and used paper from the Paper Heart collection from Crate Paper and trimmed these to size for the 3 x 3 cards. These were then rounded off with the X-Cut corner rounder punch and twine was tied around the paper. These were then stuck on the embossed card with 3D foam dots. I then stamped a few random images from the My Cup of Tea by Lawn Fawn on some white card stock, and then these were trimmed down and attached with 3D foam dots. So there you are, the end results are of the cards above. All very cute and all very different!

So I hope you've all enjoyed this make, please check out the awesome DT creations on the blog and get everyone to join in on this week's challenge.

Challenge starts today Tuesday 16th April and ends Monday 22nd April, Midnight Newfoundland Time.

Thanks to all those who have commented, left comments on my blog for any of the challenges for the Pinspirational Blogs, please continue to support this great challenge blog and give great love to the current Design Team! :) <3 xx

Rainy Days! @ Pins HQ

Hi everyone, this will be my penultimate post as part of the Pins Team, so I will be savouring my last few weeks on the team. But the team are in safe hands with some great additional DT Crew Members and I know they'll be awesome! So I would like to welcome Hilary, Sheetal, Kitt, Anat and Lisa Grace to the amazing Pinspirational Challenges DT!

So without further ado, here's your Pinspirational image to get you creative this week:

 

This image reminds me of walking through Chinatown in Central London in the rain with my friend. And we were trying to find a place to eat and we ended up wandering around in the rain looking for somewhere, and as it was Chinese New Year in London and the celebrations were dying somewhat down - it was still a bit busy and walking through the rain in a busy city - is not an easy task! Hey it rains in London most of the time now, so I think we're getting used to it! :)

Our sponsor(s) this week are:

Teams 1 and 2

Bugaboo

  Prize: 7 digis

...and Di's Digi Downloads

Prize: $10 voucher

Team members used images from Bugaboo for this challenge

- x -

Here's my creation:

Supplies I used:

- First Paper Edition Rose Garden 8 x 8 Paper Pad
- Sizzix Sizzlits Ticket Dies
- Pasrcel string
- Crop-o-dile & eyelets
- Spellbinders Labels Fourteen
- Die-namics Mini Doilies die
- Spellbinders Lacy Ovals die
- Promarkers

I've attached this little 'Save Up' sign to a container I put my pennies in or change for a 'Rainy Day' - which seems to occur a lot in London, so the jar is sometimes empty! :)
I did a lot of layering with the various papers from the First Edition Paper pad and die cut a few of the papers with the Spellbinders dies and the Die-namics doily dies. I coloured in one of the sponsors images with some Promarkers (Gold, Rose Pink, Bright Green, Forest Green, Antique Pink, Sky Blue, Oatmeal and Azure) I used a Crop-a-dile to put two eyelets in the top and threaded some parcel string in the top - attaching the finished sign on to my jar of pennies! :)

Hope you all will join in this week's Pins Challenge. Get your fellow crafters to take part in the challenge and you could win our weekly challenges! :)

Challenge ends Monday 15th April 2013, Midnight - Newfoundland Time

Flower Girl @ Pins HQ

So another fabulous week is here for Spring and what better way to start the week, then with a a lovely Pinspirational Challenge!

Here's your image this week to be inspired by:

 

Cute isn't she?

Our Sponsors this week are:

Team 1

A Day for Daisies

A Day For Daisies provides themed categories of over 1000 digital illustrations, including fairy tales and magical mermaids, cutie kids, vintage illustrations, sentiments and lovely designs for all occasions!

Prize: $12 gift card

and 

Team 2

Can You Digi It

 

Prize: $10 coupon

Great sponsors, amazing prizes!

Here's my creation:

Materials / Craft Supplies used:

- Caramel Linen Cardstock

- Rosette Trim (which I bought from a local London Craft store)

- White bows (from my local London market)

- Dovecraft Tea Doilies

- Fiskars Border Doily Punch

- Sizzix Sizzlit Ticket Die (Pack of 5 dies)

- First Paper Edition Rose Garden 8 x 8 pad

- Silver Gem stones (from my local £ store)

- Crop-a-dile and silver eyelet

- Parcel String

This simple tag was made from caramel cardstock, then layered with paper from the First Paper Edition Rose Garden paper pad. I used the Fiskars Doily border punch on one end of the tag, and then measured out where I would put the central image. The image is from one of our sponsors - CYDI and is coloured in using Promarkers (Ivory, Oatmeal, Forest Green, Bright Green, Rose Pink, Ice Grey 4 and Cocoa) and is die cut in a ticket shape from the Sizzix Sizzlit Ticket die. I added the eyelet with my Crop-a-dile after sticking the layers down with double-sided tape and threaded through parcel string, then added the silver gem stones and rosette trim at the bottom. I like the way it turned out! Very cute!

I hope this has inspired you to create some great projects and cards based on our weekly image. Enter in our challenge this week and you could win of our prizes! Get your followers and crafty friends to join in - we can't wait to see your creations and check out the amazing DT's creations too!

Challenge starts today Tuesday 2nd April 2013 to Monday 8th April 2013 at Midnight (Newfoundland Time)

Daydreaming at Pins...

Last week, I missed the previous Pins DT Challenge as I was away from London for a few days... But I am back for this week's challenge!

I'd like to welcome Marina to our Design Team at Pinspirational Challenges! Welcome Marina! Check out her blog on the main Pinspirational Challenges Blog :)

Here's this week's Pins picture for you to be inspired by....

 

My creation is below:

I used a variety of materials including: DCWV's Blossom and Butterflies 8 x 8 pad, Tim Holtz Adage tickets and the tea doily dies from Dovecraft. I made this tag for this week's challenge - and it's pretty much my favourite thing to make right now! Love my tag creations!

Check out the DT creations on our website and make sure you join in this week's challenge! Tell your friends too and get creative! :)

We're sponsored by this week:

Team A - Pattie's Creations 

(2 digis for the winner)

&

Team B - Fresh Brewed

(3 digis to the winner)

Challenge ends Monday 25th February 2013 Midnight Newfoundland Time

Valentine's Treat Bag - Pins DT

Welcome to another awesome challenge task at Pinspirational Challenges! Be inspired and have a look!

First of all, one of our DT is sadly leaving us - the lovely Lynn! I shall very much miss you Lynn and I know the Team will as well! Awesome crafter, card maker and lovely person! We hope to see you in blogland soon! :) xx

On that note, we are looking for another DT Member, so please add the 'DT' to your entry if you would like to be part of the Pins DT Team! :)

So... It's another week and a brand new challenge at Pinspirational Challenges! So let's get down to it! Here's your picture for this week's challenge!

 

And as it's nearly (well two weeks) until Valentine's I thought I would go down this lovely route - I've made this sweet little Treat Bag:

So this one was a bit of a 'trial and error' project. I'd been wanting to do something similar, but wasn't quite sure how to go about it as I don't have enough dies (especially Sizzix) to make anything like how I wanted to! But it turned out well!

I bought some burlap material from Ebay UK, cut two pieces to make the bag into a rectangle that measures 4 x 6 inches (approx) I then used a Tim Holtz Alterations 'On the Edge' Brackets die and then glued the two burlap pieces with fabric glue. I used paper from the My Mind Eye Lost and Found paper collection and another piece from the Glitz Pretty in Pink 6 x 6 paper pad to decorate the treat bag. I attached these onto the burlap with super glue. I also placed two pieces of paper inside the bag so that the glue didn't leak through. I used a doily as the 'cover' for the bag at the top and made the long tag using the caramel linen cardstock embossed with the Crafts Too You Hearts embossing folder, the image is from one of our Team's sponsors. I fussy cut a tag from the Prima Botanical 6 x 6 pad and self adhesives gem stones from Papermania, the ribbon attached to the long tag is from the Smirk Love and Friendship collection.

- x -

Our sponsor this week for the teams are:

Team 1: Gingerloft 

(Prize: 3 digital stamps to the winner)

Team 2: Pink Cat Studio 

(Prize: 3 digital stamps for the winner)

 

So... what are you waiting for? Join in our challenge this week and you could be a winner! Check out both Teams creations and take part in our awesome challenge!

Challenge ends: Midnight on Monday 4th Feb 2013 (Newfoundland Time)

Christmassy Christmas @ Aud Sentiments :)

The Christmas season is upon us and it's looking so good right now. I'm about 80% done with shopping and I'm excited about the Festive Season!

Side Note: Design Team Call at Aud Sentiments - Click here for details

So this fortnight's challenge at Aud Sentiments is Christmas inspired! Oooooh! So our challenge is:

Any creation as long as it includes a sentiment relevant to the holidays - so that could be Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanza etc. PLEASE don't forget to include a sentiment!

Our awesome sponsor this fortnight is: Birdie Brown Digital Stamps

 

Prize: 3 Stamps

Here's a little bit about Birdie Brown:

Hello everyone! I'm Torico, the owner of Birdie Brown. 
I’m a mom to two kids who live in Japan. I've loved doodling since I was a child, and have a passion for cardmaking now!
At my Etsy shop, Birdie Brown, I'm offering whimsical and cute (Japanese "kawaii") digital stamps created from my original illustrations. I love "simple & cute" designs. So, most of my digital stamps are designed to match such a style. If you also like "simple & cute" style, you'll find something you have been wanting on Birdie Brown!

 

Here's my creation below:

This is a little creation I made after seeing a YouTube video by Patricia (tubeyoumaster1). She created a Christmas Cracker tutorial which she made as gifts to give visitors or friends that came to her house during the month of December. And it's a proper Christmas Cracker you can fill it in from one side and close it up! Pretty brilliant tutorial, so I thought I'd give it a try and here's the results! You can check out the video here - Christmas Candy Treat Boxes 
 

I made mine using the 12 x 12 K and Company McKenna paper with the Spellbinders Lacy Ovals die, pink and red ribbon with an image from our sponsor coloured in with Promarkers (Black, Gold, Ruby and Blush) I think I'll be making a few of these I think for friends! :)

So there you go, hope this will inspire you to enter our challenge! I hope so! Check out our awesome DT to have created some brilliant cards

Challenge ends Tuesday 18th December 2012

 

December Christmas @ Pinspirational Challenges!

It's December, totally love the holidays and I'm getting into that crafty, christmas spirit!

Here's another challenge at Pinspirational Challenges - and don't forget our Design Team Call - which you can apply for within! Check out the post 'Design Team Call'

Here's this week's Pins image for you to be inspired by...

 

We have two sponsors this week: 

QKR Stampede & The Pink Petal

           

Prizes: 3 images from QKR Stampede and 3 ribbons from the Pink Petal

This is my creation below:

I used the Lacy Ovals Spellbinders die cut set, with a Gretting Farm image from the Christmas - Xmas Sweeties set, the paper used is from Back to Basics Christmas set from Dovecraft and the ribbons is from Paperchase. The base is a caramel linen cardstock. Simple and sweet with lovely blue tones.

So, I hope that this has inpsired you to create something based on our image. Looking forward to seeing your entires into this week's challenge!

Check out our main blog to check out what our awesome Design Team have created and join in our challenge this week.

Challenge ends Monday 10th December at midnight - Newfoundland time!

Too Cute! @ Pins HQ

Another Tuesday Challenge at Pinspirational Challenges this week and lovely welcome to Tammy, Pam, April and Athina for joining our awesome DT at Pins! We are still looking for more DT members, so check out this blog post *Design Team Call* from last week for our Design Team Call at Pinspirational Challenges!

Here is this week's inspiring picture for you...

 

The dog is just toooo cute! Love it!

Here's my creation based on this image and an image used from our sponsor...

 I love the owl with the glasses... so sweet!

I used kraft cardstock as the base for my card, then layered it with paper from a K and Company collection in my stash, using a bow easy, I made the pink bow to put on top of the card, I also layered some scalloped edged stripey brown card from Desert Blooms First Edition paper 8 x 8 pad. I mounted the sponsor image on a Spellbinders die - Eyelet Circles. I coloured in the owl with Promarkers and added some Papermania bling. Hope you like the cuteness! Sweeet! :)

Our sponsor this week is: 2 Cute Ink

 

Has our Pinspirational image inspired you? Hope so! Make sure you enter in our challenge to be in with a chance of winning! Check out our wonderful DT team's creations via our blog too :)

Challenge closes: Monday 3rd December 2012 at Midnight (Newfoundland Time) 

Fancy a Coffee?

Another week upon us, which means another awesome challenge from Pinspirational Challenges! Whoop! Whoop!

So this is your inspirational photo for this week's challenge...

Was there ever a time when you wanted to catch up with someone over a coffee, just for a chin-wag, chit chat or a girly afternoon? Yep, I've had those moments too!

So here's my little creation inspired by the above picture

I used a caramel card stock as a base, then layered on top two papers from the 8 x 8 First Paper Edition's Desert Blooms pad. The ribbon is from Anita's Arts, and I included a little bit of bling from Papermania. The 'Fancy a Coffee' sentiment was typed and the picture is an image from our sponsor

Our sponsor this week is: Fresh Brewed Designs

Visit their online shop for awesome digital images and designs!

Hopefully our Pins image has inspired you, make sure you enter in our challenge to be in with a chance of winning! Check out our wonderful DT team's creations via our blog too :)

Challenge closes: Monday 26th November 2012 at Midnight (Newfoundland Time)

Mellow Yellow @ Pinspirational Challenges

Middle of November and its not long til the holidays. Woohoo! I should really finish up on those Christmas projects! :)

Another week at Pins HQ and another awesome challenge. Here's your image for this week's challenge:

 

Our Sponsor this week is: The Digi Garden

Looks yummy! Love it! So based on this picture, I've created this card:

The stamp I used is Birthday Anya from the Greeting Farm. The individual paper and card stock I used are: Papermania's Book Prints paper, We R Memory Keepers Traveller's Collection for the yellow gingham style paper layered on top, I then used the Lacy Oval Dies and Oval dies from Spellbinders to use as a base for TGF stamp. Simple card for any simple birthday. Reminds me of Summer actually which is really nice - especially as its now Winter! :( I coloured the Birthday Anya stamp in Gold, Tulip Yellow and Sunflower, Dusky Pink and Blush Promarkers.

So I hope that this image has inspired you for take part in this week's challenge, spread the word around and take part! :)

Challenge begins from Tuesday 13th Nov to Monday 19th Nov 2012 (Newfoundland Time)

Thaaaaank Yooou!

Can't believe it's 6ish weeks until Christmas. This year has gone waaaay to fast! It's November and our challenge at Aud Sentiments this fortnight is:

Create a card or project which includes a sentiment giving thanks!  

So that could be Thanksgiving, or it could be "Thanks for being my friend" or any other sentiment you can think of which includes the word "THANKS".

We're sponsored this fortnight by: Di's Digi Designs

Here's some info about them:

Di's Digi Designs do a great range of cute images - for boys, girls, you name it!  

They also have a range of backgrounds for you to use...AND, if your colouring is not fabulous...you can buy a pre-coloured image instead!

The prize this fortnight courtesy of our sponsors is a $10 gift voucher for the store. 

So what are you waiting for? Come & join in our challenge & spread the word!

Here's my creation below:

This is just a little card to the incredible friends I have in my life. Those who's stuck by me, and always been there for me when times have been tough. Those who I trust, who are nearest and dearest and have always cheered me up no end - and give the biggest hugs too! :) This card is dedicated to them and to say a 'Huge Thank You!' 

I used caramel card for the base of my card, and then used paper from the Love Letters 6 x 6 First Paper Edition paper pad. The image is Princess Tia from Some Odd Girl, I used a Spellbinders lacy circles oval die for the background and Anita's Art ribbon for the bow - with button detail. The stamp set I used for the sentiment is Lawn Fawn's Harold's ABC alphabet - which sets it off nicely :)

Check out Team A's creation from our DT team and stop by the following week for Team B's creation to get you inspired!

Challenge ends Tuesday 20th November 2012

Christmas Puddings at Pins HQ!

It's getting closer to Christmas - only 7 weeks or to go and I hope you've all started making your holiday cards! :) So this week at Pinspirational Challenges HQ we're getting festive!

Here's this week's inspirational image to get you creating!

 

We're sponsored this week by: Beccy's Place

Here's my creation using our sponsor's image:

I recently bought a heat tool and some emobossing powder and got ridiculously carried away with the thing and ended up heat embossing every piece of card I had in the house, but to be honest - I really love it and I can't wait to keep embossing stuff! So I used a Versamark ink pad to emboss a snowflake stamp on some caramel card stock. I used white embossing powder to cover the snowflakes and heated them with a heat tool. The paper I used was from the Back to Basics Christmas 8 x 8 pad and coloured the christmas puddings in Cinnamon and Walnut Promakers. Simple card with added cuteness!

So.... get your Christmas hats on and start crafting your awesome cards or projects based on our Pins image!

Check out our DT creations and let your friends know about this week's challenge! We can't wait to see your creations!

Challenge starts today - Tuesday 6th Nov and ends Monday 12th Nov 2012 12 midnight (Newfoundland Time)

Falling in Love with Aud Sentiments...

I love a good ol' love story. Little bit of romance wouldn't go a miss in anyone's life! I personally haven't got love in my life at the moment, but hey I'm in no rush... Waiting for my Prince to come along and sweep me off my feet! So in preparation for that moment in time, we're asking you guys to enter in this fortnight's Aud Sentiments challenge by...

Creating a card or project with the word 'Fall' in it... (this can either be a seasonal card for 'fall' or can include a phrase or play on the word 'fall' - like 'fallen for you...')

Our sponsor this fortnight is: Digital Delights, the winner for this fortnight is a $5 gift voucher :)

A litte info about them:

We are a one stop shop for all your digital stamps, paper piecing and digital products which are instantly downloadable. We also have a wide range of digital papers and cut files for all your crafting projects. Our low prices reflect our belief that crafting should not only be fun but affordable too!! Other services include custom blog design and custom watermarks. Why wait for snail mail? Start creating with our instant downloads today.

 - x -

So below is my little sweet card:

I've used a digital image from Some Odd Girl called Love Letter Kaylee, which I coloured in with Promarkers. The paper used is from Love Letters by First Paper Edition mounted on some craft cardstock for the base and pink ribbon from Anita's Art. The sentiment 'Falling in love with you...' has been printed out on white 160gsm cardstock on Microsoft Word with the font KG Sweet Sixteen which you can download from the Dafont.com.

Enter in our challenge at Aud Sentiments HQ - we'd love to see your awesome creations! Make sure you check out our DT creations too - which are always fabulous! :)

With the Christmas season upon us, it's a perfect time to fall in love and find that special someone if you haven't already and if you have - awesome - you're very, very lucky! Now... where's that frog :)